Month: June 2016

A fire pit is a simple but versatile accessory that opens the doors to a whole new world of outdoor living activities. Once you’ve set up your fire pit, you can use it to build campfires, cook, roast marshmallows, or just gather around with friends and family for a relaxing ambiance. Assuming you choose a portable fire pit, such as the ones sold here at S&S Fire Pits, you can even take it camping.

But after the fire goes out, you’ll need to clean the remaining ashes out of your fire pit. Ashes and embers will remain hot long after the fire dies, and attempting to pour them into a trash can or container may spark a new fire. This is why it’s important to follow some basic steps when disposing of your fire pit ashes.

Wait 24 Hours

A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 hours after the fire has gone out to dispose of the ashes. This should be more than enough time for the ashes and embers to cool, eliminating the possibility of an unwanted fire.

Inspect it

After 24 hours has passed, take the lid off the fire pit and inspect the ashes to see if there are any hot embers remaining. You can use a metal poker to shuffle the ashes around, checking to make sure they are cool.

Scoop it

Assuming your fire pit is completely out and the ashes have cooled, go ahead and scoop it out using a metal shovel or spade, transferring the ashes to a metal bucket or metal container with a lid. Do not attempt to dispose of fire pit ashes in a plastic trash can or cardboard box, as this increases the risk of a fire. Metal buckets and containers offer the safety method for ash disposal.

Fire Pit Ashes in the Garden

Tip: if you have a garden, consider sprinkling your fire pit ash over the soil instead of disposing of it. Wood ash is rich in nutrient, making an excellent “organic” fertilizer that also repels common pests. According to this article published by SFGate, wood ash has about 15% calcium by weight and 20 times more potassium than limestone. All of these characteristics make it an excellent fertilizer. So instead of leaving your fire pit ashes in a metal container, try sprinkling them in your garden for an added kick of nutrition.

Fire pits require some type of fuel to burn, with the most common sources being wood or gas (natural gas or liquid propane). Gas-burning fire pits are certainly useful, but wood-burning fire pits are typically the preferred choice among homeowners. Here’s why.

#1) Better for Cooking

Ask any backyard chef and he or she will agree: wood-burning fires are better for cooking than gas. They produce a smokey, charcoal flavor that’s perfect for hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken, pork, vegetables and more. Gas fire pits, on the other hand, release fumes that can leave food with a chemical-like flavor.

#2) Firewood is Cheap

When compared to gas-burning fire pits, you can expect to pay less to operate a wood-burning fire pit. Firewood is cheap and readily available, with many homeowners and business owners giving it away for free. You can even venture into your backyard if you need extra firewood. Natural gas and liquid propane, on the other hand, can quickly burn a hole in your wallet, especially if you build fires on a weekly basis.

#3) Relaxing Ambiance

While all fires produce a pleasing ambiance, wood-burning fires are particularly relaxing and enjoyable. They produce a unique flame along with a distinct crackling sound that’s simply not available in gas-burning fire pits. These subtle characteristics create the ultimate environment in which individuals can gather for a fun social activity.

#4) Safer than Gas

Wood-burning fire pits are inherently safer than their gas-burning counterpart. Each year, thousands of people are injured due to exploding gas grills and fire pits. If the tank leaks, for instance, gas may build up inside the unit, causing an explosion once ignited. This isn’t a problem with wood-burning fire pits, however. You can safely ignite wood without fear of it sparking an explosion.

#5) Produces More Heat

When the sun goes down and the temperatures begin to drop, you want a fire pit that’s going to keep you and your guests warm. Both gas and wood-burning fire pits will produce some warmth, although the latter is far more effective. And if you choose one of the steel wood-burning fire pits sold here at S&S Fire Pits, you’ll reap the benefits of even greater heat production thanks to their reflective steel construction that literally radiates heat.

These are just a few of the many reasons why wood-burning fire pits are better than gas.

Fire pits are made using a wide variety of different materials, ranging from stone and ceramic to brick, metal and even dirt. Of these types, however, steel remains one of the most popular and versatile choices. So if you’re thinking about buying a new fire pit, keep reading to learn five undeniable reasons why steel is the best all-around choice.

Portable and Efficient

One of the first things you’ll notice when comparing a stone fire pit to a steel fire pit is the portability. Stone fire pits become fixtures in your yard, cost a fair amount to build properly and don’t radiate heat. Most thick gauge steel fire pits are portable, they will last forever and radiate a ton of heat. Plus, when your buddy wants to borrow your pit for a party it can easily be transported.

Modern

Of course, there’s also a certain levels of aesthetics and modern style associated with steel fire pits. Their rustic-metal appearance makes them an ideal decorative accessory for patios, back decks, gardens and other outdoor areas. If you have other metal accessories decorating your home’s exterior, you can further enhance the environment by adding a steel fire pit.

Easy to Clean

It’s a common assumption that fire pits are difficult to clean, which is why some people avoid cooking on them. While it’s true that certain types of fire pits can prove burdensome in regards to cleaning, this isn’t true for mot steel models. Just scoop out your ashes before each fire and your done.

Never Rust Through

Not surprisingly, thick gauge steel fire pits are resistant to deep rust and corrosion. Steel fire pits will form a layer of rust on the outermost layer which serves as a protective barrier for the internal steel protecting it from ever rusting or burning through.

It’s Summer-Friendly

With summer right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to invest in a steel fire pit. Using your new steel fire pit, you can host parties, cookouts, or just evening get-togethers with friends and family. The possibilities with a steel fire pit are endless. Perhaps this is why so many homeowners are eager to include them in their outdoor living space.

Thinking about investing in a new fire pit? Doing so will open up the doors to a whole new world of opportunities for you and your family. Using a fire pit, you can create a relaxing ambiance on your patio, grill burgers and hot dogs (or any food for that matter), or just use your fire pit to enhance your home’s exterior. To take full advantage of this brilliant accessory, however, you’ll need to know how to light it.

Create Kindling

The easiest and safest way to light your fire pit is to place a ball of kindling under the wood. Kindling can be any light, fluffy material that easily catches fire. Newspaper, dead leaves, pine needles, wood shavings and small pieces of tree bark are all excellent sources of kindling. Place a small stack under the wood in your fire pit and try lighting it instead of the wood. Once the kindling catches fire, the rest of the wood should also ignite.

Before the Logs

Generally kindling won’t light large logs on fire before burning out. Because of this it’s typically best to have a layer of smaller diameter wood between the kindling and logs. Larger twigs, broken tree branches & chopped up logs work great for this purpose.

Can I Use Gasoline?

It’s best to avoid using gasoline to light your fire pit for a couple different reasons. First and foremost, gasoline is highly combustible, meaning there’s a greater risk of an explosion and/or uncontrollable fire when using it in this manner. Secondly, gasoline has a petrochemical odor that lingers in the air. If you intend to cook on your fire pit, this chemical-rich smell will taint your food — something that most people want to avoid when cooking.

Why Isn’t My Fire Pit Lighting?

If you are still having trouble lighting your fire pit, you should check to make sure the lumber is dry. Conventional wisdom should leave you to believe that lumber won’t light if it’s still wet. This is why it’s important to always store your lumber in a dry, covered area; otherwise, it will become saturated with moisture when it rains. Lumber will typically dry out in a couple days, but until then, you may struggle to light it.